Bum Phillips and Dan Pastorini, coach and quarterback respectively of the “Luv Ya Blue” Oilers who played in back-to-back AFC Championship Games three decades ago, attended the Texans’ practice Wednesday despite the dreadful weather to offer moral support to their old friend, who as a teenager served as a training camp ball boy.

Afterward, Phillips and Pastorini also gave Kubiak their unequivocal vocal support, as did Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and Pro Bowl-bound wide receiver Andre Johnson, among others.

“Gary Kubiak is as good a football coach as anybody, believe me,” Phillips said. “You’re not going to get any better coach than him, and that’s one reason I wanted to come and watch his team practice. If you can still make your team practice like these kids practiced today in the last week of the season with nothing to look forward to, then believe me, he’s got control of the football team.

“He’s always been a good coach. He’s getting all he can out of his team.”

“I’ll second Bum on everything,” Pastorini said. “There’s some little things that need to be taken care of, but this is a good football team. The main thing (I see) is the attitude. They’ve got nothing to play for, but you see them go through their drills hustling and paying attention, and that says a lot about the coaching staff, the organization and the team itself.

“They’ve lost some heartbreaking games this year. But look at what we went through, like the 1-13 seasons (in 1972 and 1973). Sid (Gillman) comes in and turns it around (in 1974), then Bum comes in (as head coach in 1975), and all of a sudden we’ve got a different attitude. There was just a little bit of strut in our step. These guys can get that. They’re close. I think they’re going to be fine. They’ve got a good group.”

Most Popular

With the Texans having lost eight of nine after a 4-2 start, Kubiak is preparing them for their final game Sunday against Jacksonville. The hue and cry for a coaching change has grown increasingly strident as the defeats have accumulated, so the 87-year-old Phillips, who was in Houston on other business, decided to drop by with his wife Debbie. He asked Pastorini to accompany them.

“Bum’s awesome,” Kubiak said. “It’s nice to have him and Dan come out. ... They were just showing their support for our players and what we’re doing. That means a lot to me.”

Coping with the critics

Kubiak, however, insists he’s handling the heat without undue angst.

“I’m going to do this for a long time,” he said. “I’m a good coach. I’ve got a lot to give. I know (fan unhappiness) is part of the business. When you get yourself in this position I’m in as head coach, these are things you’ve got to deal with. So I will deal with them the right way, and I’ll come out of it a better football coach. I understand it’s part of the deal.”

But a very hard part.

“Is it tough?” Kubiak said. “You bet. It’s pretty damn tough.”

Schaub called him “the right guy. The guys out there on the field didn’t get it done up to our expectations this year. That’s on us.”

Added Johnson: “Gary’s a great coach. Of course I support him. ... I don’t feel any different about that because of what’s happened.”

Phillips and Pastorini watched the workout at the side of Texans owner Bob McNair, McNair’s son Cal and general manager Rick Smith, which led to speculation about another possible reason for Phillips’ surprise visit. There has been talk Phillips’ son Wade, himself fired as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys after a 1-7 start, would join Kubiak’s staff as defensive coordinator next season — assuming Kubiak survives.

‘Wade’s a Houston boy’

McNair has said he will comment after the season regarding his plans.

Bum definitely said nothing to squelch the idea of Wade’s return.

“I know he’s going to coach again,” Phillips said. “Wade don’t know how to enjoy anything except football. A lot of people play golf or gamble or go hunting or fishing. ... All he cares about is football. As long as he feels that way, I’m sure he’ll stay in it. If (the Texans) need a coach, I’m sure he’d be tickled to death, and I’m sure they would be, too. Wade’s a Houston boy.”

It goes without saying how Bum would feel about Wade’s joining forces with Kubiak and the Texans.

“That would tickle me to death,” he said.

The Texans have suffered a horrible season defensively, particularly in pass coverage, where they have veered close to becoming the worst team in NFL history based on yards allowed. Wade Phillips, who’s 63, launched his NFL coaching career as one of his dad’s defensive assistants with the Oilers from 1976-80. Over the years he has acquired a reputation among football insiders as a superb defensive strategist.

But he is a staunch disciple of the 3-4 defensive set, while the Texans under Kubiak and current defensive coordinator Frank Bush operate from the 4-3 base. Nonetheless, Bum dismissed that as a non-issue regarding Wade’s qualifications to replace Bush, who’s likely to be fired next week.

Asked if Wade could adapt to coaching a 4-3 team again, Bum said, “Sure. They played the 4-3 a lot of places Wade’s been, like Philadelphia. You play the defense that fits your personnel.”